I never went to Summer Camp but I enjoy reading about those experiences, even if they deal with the difficulties, along with the joys of attending theI never went to Summer Camp but I enjoy reading about those experiences, even if they deal with the difficulties, along with the joys of attending these events. This is fiction but it is based on his childhood memories of camp. A good, solid graphic novel, nicely illustrated. ...more
I read a recent poem by Carrie Fountain and enjoyed it enough to seek out some of her other work out and discovered that she wrote the poetic text forI read a recent poem by Carrie Fountain and enjoyed it enough to seek out some of her other work out and discovered that she wrote the poetic text for this beautifully illustrated children's book. It is about W.S. Merwin, another poet I was not familiar with, and his mission to build a palm forest in Maui, Hawaii. It is a quick, lovely read....more
I was surprised how much I liked this big, highly ambitious graphic novel, set in Egypt. It spans several decades and I found myself rooting for theseI was surprised how much I liked this big, highly ambitious graphic novel, set in Egypt. It spans several decades and I found myself rooting for these main characters as they struggled with the decision to use these "wishes". This is a big book, 500 pages, but don't be put off by the size- it reads quickly....more
One summer, Pedro Martin, along with his 8 brothers and sisters, pile in their parents RV and make the incredible journey from California to Pegueros,One summer, Pedro Martin, along with his 8 brothers and sisters, pile in their parents RV and make the incredible journey from California to Pegueros, Mexico, to visit family there and bring their abuelito (grandfather) back to live with them. It is over a 2,000-mile trip. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic memoir. It is heart-warming and laugh out loud at times. If you are looking for something fun and refreshing, give this one a spin. It is a Newberry Award winner and a deserving one. ...more
I am a jazz fan and I would consider Miles Davis to be my favorite jazz artist. Once I discovered his masterpiece [Kind of Blue], it opened up a wholeI am a jazz fan and I would consider Miles Davis to be my favorite jazz artist. Once I discovered his masterpiece [Kind of Blue], it opened up a whole new world. I also cannot think of another artist who kept pushing himself in different directions, his entire career. I spotted [Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound] on shelf at the library and immediately scooped it up. The author/illustrator did a wonderful job capturing the man and the artist, not shying away at all from his addictions and many character flaws. I highly recommend this graphic bio. This author also has created a GN bio on the legendary Charlie Parker which I may also seek out. ...more
They sure know how to market Murakami's work and this graphic novel collection of 4 of his short stories (the first of 3 volumes) is pure genius. I waThey sure know how to market Murakami's work and this graphic novel collection of 4 of his short stories (the first of 3 volumes) is pure genius. I was impressed how beautifully illustrated and well-adapted it was. Now, we have something to tie us over, until his new novel comes out next year. ...more
I really enjoyed this illustrated look at Charles M. Schulz, (1922-2000). I hesitate to call it a bio because much of the dialogue is imagined but it I really enjoyed this illustrated look at Charles M. Schulz, (1922-2000). I hesitate to call it a bio because much of the dialogue is imagined but it seems to have stuck very close to Schulz's life, which I knew very little of, despite growing up with "Peanuts". He was the most influential and popular cartoonist of the past century. This book may get a bit long in the tooth at times but it is definitely worth checking out. ...more
This extraordinary graphic bio, looks at the life of Jack Johnson, a black heavyweight champion, around the turn of the last century. Of course, I havThis extraordinary graphic bio, looks at the life of Jack Johnson, a black heavyweight champion, around the turn of the last century. Of course, I have heard about this man over the years and saw the film the Great White Hope, but did not know many of the details about this towering figure and the astounding amount of racial abuse that he dealt with all of his life. It truly is painful to read, but one everyone should read, just to remind us what we are capable of doing as a race. I highly recommend it. It will be one of my top reads of the year. ...more
I have read several books, both fiction and NF, about the horrifying Bosnian War 1992-96, and I still feel like I am reading a dystopian novel. A terrI have read several books, both fiction and NF, about the horrifying Bosnian War 1992-96, and I still feel like I am reading a dystopian novel. A terribly disturbing one. I have also read Sacco’s excellent graphic novel, Safe Area Gorzade, which covers the five months he spent in Bosnia, looking at the awful aftermath. In The Fixer, Sacco returns to Bosnia focusing on various shady characters, who share stories about their experiences during the war. The text is well-written and the illustrations are excellent....more
I enjoyed this graphic anthology. Each profile was done by a different writer/artist. Several I had never heard of, especially the early ones but it dI enjoyed this graphic anthology. Each profile was done by a different writer/artist. Several I had never heard of, especially the early ones but it did cover Manson, Jonestown, the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate, and Vanguard. I am really astounded how many people are seeking some kind of "higher place" and are willing to follow these various leaders down some very dark paths and to their own destruction, in many cases. The only cult I am interested in is the book fanatic club....more
When I first picked this off the library shelf, I automatically thought this graphic memoir was about North Korea. Once I started it, I quickly found When I first picked this off the library shelf, I automatically thought this graphic memoir was about North Korea. Once I started it, I quickly found out, that it was set in South Korea, during the terrorizing reign of the Fifth Republic. A military regime, which I remember nothing about. This made it worthwhile. It kicks off with the banned book club but it mostly deals with the author’s involvement in a group of young people rising up and protesting against the totalitarian regime. I will have to read more about this- how democracy took the country back and stayed in place. Recommended. ...more
This was an excellent illustrated history of the fight for women's rights. Highly recommended.This was an excellent illustrated history of the fight for women's rights. Highly recommended....more
Before launching her career as a successful cartoonist and penning her popular Hark a Vagrant series, Kate Beaton left her hometown in Nova Scotia to Before launching her career as a successful cartoonist and penning her popular Hark a Vagrant series, Kate Beaton left her hometown in Nova Scotia to work in the oil sands of Alberta, which was booming at the time. She was buried in student debt and this was one of the best opportunities available for her, despite the isolation and grueling conditions. This graphic memoir details her two years spent there. It was not easy for Beaton or for the many thousands of other workers stationed there and being one of the few women, made it even more difficult. She was subjected to sexual harassment, in its many guises, along with the long, grinding hours. The book also looks at the environmental issues placed on the land, the wildlife and it’s indigenous people by these monster oil companies. The writing and artwork are excellent and I highly recommend it. Warning- issues of sexual assault....more